Gone fishing with John O’Hare

Many people in their innocence think that angling is a quiet, gentle past time, but you would be totally wrong. Unsporting activity can be the order of the day especially where the fishing competitions are concerned. I suppose it is an ancient and historical thing which goes back to who was the best food gatherer or hunter. Sometimes you would not believe what individuals will do just to win and post how good they were in comparison to the other anglers.
Our club records show that a member was disqualified at a boat competition in the 1950s for presenting trout at the weigh in that he had caught the previous day in a different league. Trout vary in size, weight and colouring, even texture from one lake to another, so the club offices at the time knew what they were doing.
However in the recent past when club officers up country did the same, the shamed angler took the club to court for damaging his character and because the judge felt the club officers (not being fish biologists with university degrees) did not have the expertise to tell the difference between fresh or stale fish as was the argument in this situation they lost the case, and he was awarded a tidy sum in compensation plus expenses. The club could not afford it to all the clubs came together to help them out and now when an angler enters a competition he automatically agrees to the presiding clubs terms which say that the club officers decisions are final. This however does not stop hoofling.
I was told this by an upcountry angler who was fishing a river competition. He took a shortcut to avoid the bend and had to cross a small stream and noticed good size trout in the pool. On closer investigation he saw several more alive and well but tied with line to bushes so he got out his pen knife and feed them all. You can guess that some smart Alec was going to collect them for the weigh in after spending several days catching them. I was surprised that they did not try to catch the culprit but I expect they guessed who it was anyway.
Trout weighing in have to be a certain length and an old trick was to break the trouts neck and pull his backbone to make him longer. No trout with a broken neck is weighed in nowadays and personally I have witnessed several anglers being disqualified for doing just that.
Over the years you see it all, stale trout, trout from other waters with lead pushed down their throats, swapping fish with their buddies, I could go on and on and it all adds up to what the hell is wrong with people!
I was reading court cases in one of the national newspapers a few weeks ago when a fisheries prosecution on one of the great Western Lakes caught my attention. I knew the culprits name and the man himself but since then I have checked to be certain. What happened was a water keeper employed by Inland Fisheries Ireland was enjoying a day off out on the lake when I spotted a man pulling in a net with brown trout trapped in its mesh. He caught him red-handed and in court the judge was not amused and the culprit got a big fine plus expenses and his boat gear etc etc also confiscated by the Fisheries Board who mentioned that the same person had written a submission to them a short time previously on development and protection of the lake. I knew him from his involvement in that very subject where he appeared to be totally genuine and his concern and arguments. To say I was surprised by this turn of events is putting it mildly. What is wrong with people? Who can you trust? Did he not consider his character and reputation and the fact that being an excellent angler he had no need to resort to unlawful means to catch trout. We will never know.

This is the international year of the salmon. Inland fisheries Ireland want to raise people’s awareness in the decline of wild salmon and sea trout. To this end they have issued envelopes and an information leaflet on fish scale and size et cetera for all salmon anglers. This is to build up a source of information for researchers into the future. They are available from licence dealers or board officers. For more information go to www.fisheriesireland.ie/salmonscales.

Sports